Catalonia & Little Trains of the Pyrenees

Meet your Tour Manager today at London St Pancras International
where you catch the Eurostar service from London to Paris,
continuing on from here to Figueres. From here, you transfer to
your home for seven nights, the charming town of Roses.

Visit fabulous Girona today, a city of storybook history,
full of eccentric museums and terracotta buildings, and capped by
an impressive cathedral. You have free time here. You could visit
the Jewish Quarter, a labyrinth of narrow streets, packed with
ancient synagogues and cafés, or visit one of the city's museums or
galleries. Make sure you try some classic Spanish dishes during
your time here. There are plenty of places to sample authentic
tapas, including a Catalonian specialty called 'pa amb tomàquet' -
crispy bread rubbed with tomato and finished with olive oil and
salt.

Cross into France and continue into the French Pyrenees. Enjoy
an excursion to the historic walled city of
Villefranche-de-Conflent. Sat under the gaze of the Pyrenees, this
is a beautiful medieval town with a lot to discover along its
narrow streets. Enjoy free time here before boarding the Little
Yellow Train to Font Romeu. Climbing through the Pyrenees, the
train treks over ravines, around mountains, and across viaducts,
providing an excellent opportunity to absorb the beauty of the
mountains. Here, pine forests line the tracks, and rising hills
give way to a landscape of craggy peaks and crisp blue lakes. On
late season departures, the Yellow Train may not operate due to
engineering works. You will instead enjoy an excursion on the
captivating Montserrat Railway, which climbs to the breathtaking
clifftop monastery of Montserrat.

Today is yours to explore beautiful Roses, an authentic fishing
port. You could head to the sweeping, sandy beach for a day of
relaxation. Or perhaps find a quiet café on the promenade or in one
of the town squares, and soak up the Spanish atmosphere with a cool
glass of wine or a cup of coffee.

Day 5 features a journey on the Núria Valley
Rack Railway which takes you into the Núria Valley itself.

Twinned with the Jungfrau Express in Switzerland, this
marvellous rack railway allows spectacular views of the steep
slopes and the superb mountainscapes. The Núria Valley Rack Railway
is the only way to access this remote valley and the lack of car
traffic makes this the perfect oasis of calm with only sailing
boats bobbing gently on the lake to distract from the almost
magical surroundings. This isolated destination offers the perfect
opportunity to admire the impressive natural beauty of the
Pyrenees.

Journey on the fantastic Little Red Train today, travelling in
cheery red carriages which stand out against the dense green of the
majestic Pyrenees. You enjoy a scenic trip from Rivesaltes to the
small town of Axat. Perhaps head to the open air carriages to fully
immerse yourself in the passing scenery; there are few better ways
to breathe in the fresh mountain air and soak up the views than by
this charming railway. In Axat, after a breathtaking journey, join
a coach back to Roses.

Please Note: For departures
21FRS04,06,08,08a,11,13,21a,22a,23a,24a,26,28,30 & 32 Days 6
& 3 have swapped around

Today takes you to Figueres, a classic Catalonian town that
boasts an impressive 11th-century church. Here, you visit the
eccentric Salvador Dalí Foundation, a museum exhibiting many of the
works of surrealist painter. Perhaps the best-known figure
within the surrealist movement, Dalí was born in Figueres at the
beginning of the 20th century. An iconic painter and sculptor, his
most famous work, the 'Persistence of Memory', depicts a series of
melting clocks with a background inspired by the coastline near
Figueres. The foundation displays much of his work and that of
contemporary artists from around the world, as well as a
fascinating jewellery exhibition.

Later, you visit the historic town of Besalu, a grand town
dominated by a striking 11th-century bridge. Be sure to have your
camera handy as there are picture-perfect, fairytale spots at every
turn here; cobblestoned lanes, winding staircases, and pretty
churches.

Leaving Roses on Day 8, travel by rail to Paris
where you join the direct Eurostar to London St Pancras.